The NYA Bocce League

In the NYA Bocce league, teams will receive their schedule via email and the “Home” and “Visiting” team will be identified on the schedule.

Standards and Rules

TEAMS

1.      A team on the court has 4 players maximum (2 stationed at each end of the court) with each player throwing 2 balls. Players are not allowed to switch ends during a game. A team may have up to 2 substitute (alternate) players on the team.

2.      If a team only has 3 players, (because of last minute commitments) the team may play that match, however, no player is permitted to throw more than 2 balls and that team only plays 6 balls in each frame. A team with only two players present at the scheduled game start time forfeits the game with zero points and the opponent is awarded 12 points.

3.      A team must have one player designated as the team captain (aka Capo). The team captain may designate a player as an "end captain" for the end opposite that of the captain. Only the team captain or an end captain may go on the court for measurements.

PALLINO THROW

1.      The pallino is the first ball put into play by the “Home Team” and is thrown underhand from behind the pointing foul line. The pallino may bounce off the sideboards.

2.      The pallino must end up across the center line and at least 12 inches away from the sideboards or backboard without hitting the backboard. If a thrower fails to do this, the throw goes to the other team. If the second throw fails to place the pallino into play, the pallino is placed approximately in the center of the hitting foul line at the opposite end of the court to speed up play.

3.      If a player throws pallino and/or first ball when other team should throw the pallino, the balls are returned and the frame starts over.

4.      Once pallino is in play, the pallino can be knocked anywhere on the court except back over the centerline or out of the court (frame ends, play resumes at opposite end, and same team throws the pallino).

BOCCE BALL THROWS

1.      The initial pallino thrower always throws the first bocce ball. All balls are thrown underhand. If the first ball hits the backboard without hitting the pallino first, the ball is removed and the team throws again until they have a ball in play.

2.      All bocce balls are thrown from behind the pointing foul line. Any ball released behind the pointing foul line is considered a throw for points. Any ball released beyond the pointing foul line and before the hitting foul line is considered a throw to hit or spock other balls. Foul Line rules apply.

3.      Each succeeding ball is thrown by the team that does NOT have the ball closest to the pallino. A team whose ball ties the opponent's closest ball must throw again. The “IN” team only throws if opponents have thrown all balls. Team members can throw in any order.

4.      Balls may be bounced off or played against sideboards.

5.      A ball hitting the backboard without first touching the pallino or another bocce ball is a dead ball and is removed from play.

6.      If a player throws the wrong color ball, it is replaced with a correct color ball after the ball comes to rest.

7.      If a player throws when the other team should throw or throws more than 2 balls, that ball is removed from play.

8.      If a team's legally thrown ball is moved (accidentally or intentionally) from its resting position by an opposing player before the points are determined and the end of the frame is declared, it is reset to its approximate original position. If the ball is sufficiently moved that the approximate original position cannot be determined, the offended team has the option to leave the balls as they lay or replay the frame.

9.      A bocce ball , for whatever reason, that goes out of the court is a dead ball and is removed from play for that frame.

10.  We have a new measuring mechanism for each court, and we will share how to measure during the first session.

11.  Lofting the ball in the air beyond the center line of the court is not permitted!

FOUL LINES

1.      Players may step on but not over the proper foul line before releasing the pallino or a bocce ball. (Toe of foot cannot exceed the width of the foul line mark.)

SCORING

1.      The official score for frame is determined after all 8 balls have been played. One point is awarded for each ball of a team that is closer to the pallino than the opponent’s closest ball (1 to 4 points)

2.      The team that scores in the last frame throws the pallino in the next frame and play continues as above.

3.      If each team’s closest balls are tied, then those balls are removed, and the next closest balls are compared.

4.      The team that first scores 12 points wins the game!

SUBSTITUTION

1.      Substitutes must be extra players on the team or on the League Roster.

2.      Substitutions may only be made between games or between frames. A late arriving missing player or substitute may enter the game in a vacant position at any time between frames.

TEAM CAPTAINS

1.      The team captain may designate a player as an "end captain" for the end opposite that of the captain.

2.      Only the team captain or an end captain may go on the court for measurements. A captain may observe and call for measurements to determine the official score for a frame.

3.      The team captain is responsible for assuring that the team's points are posted correctly and for reporting final game scores to the record keeper.

TEAM PLAYERS

1.      Players must remain behind the hitting foul line at all times except the thrower may go out to the center line just prior to throwing to observe the position of balls on the court.

2.      Players may request a measurement at any time.

3.      Players may converse with one another but only with players on their end of the court. Only hand signals may be used with players at the opposite end of the court.

4.      Players shall not talk to or interfere with a thrower on the court prior to the release of the ball. When the thrower is on the court, all other players must be off the court and remain behind the backboard.

5.      No player may go up to the balls and instruct a team player how or where to throw the ball.

6.      To preserve the condition of the court, players shall minimize walking on the court and not wear ripple or spiked sole shoes.

TEAM PLAY WITHOUT OFFICIAL REFEREES

1.      The captain, aka “Capo” can appoint an “End Captain” to report the point score to scorekeepers.

2.      The Captain and End Captains are the only 2 people allowed on the court to make measurements, determine points, and return balls. All other players must remain behind the end backboards at these times.

LOCAL RULES

1.      Due to specific local conditions, a club, league, or tournament may add additional local environmental rules relative to safety, behaviors, equipment use, court grooming, noise, footwear, dress, uniforms, etc.

2.      Due to specific local conditions, a league or tournament may add additional local operational rules relative to officials, protests, non-playing captains/coaches, spectators, records, scorecards, tie-breakers, missing players, substitutions, breaks/time-outs, weather delays, delay-of-game, etc.